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Granite Grit
Family man Joe, 32, loses his job, and with a wife, two kids, and mounting debt, turns to all he knows: boxing. Conned into a brutal fight after meeting training pal Tim, he's on a dark path. Joe loves the rush of victory in unlicensed fighting. But, memories of his estranged father haunt him, a notorious street-fighter from Glasgow's Gorbals. Joe's family soon take second place, his addiction for notoriety overwhelming. And, his demons simmer: his father battering his mother; her committing suicide; Joe's vow to find and kill his father. He befriends gangster Mr Dean, who demands Joe becomes his fighter. Outcast by his wife, Joe befriends ex-con Micky, who turns Joe into a paranoid drug and alcohol addict, abusing his girl-friend. Gradually, he becomes like his dad. Monster Reaper has a fearsome reputation, the hardest bare-knuckle-fighter in Britain. Joe knows that the path to his father lies in defeating Reaper. The underworld community gathers to watch an unforgettable fight. Joe kills The Reaper, then his father reveals The Reaper was Joe's brother...
346 pages, Paperback
Published November 18, 2015
About the author
Lee Cooper
30 books5 followersLee Cooper is the author of several popular and successful books on language arts and folklore for children, including Fun with Spanish, Fun with French, Fun with Italian, and Fun with German. An award-winning writer, Lee Cooper is listed in Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Contemporary Authors, and the Directory of British and American Writers. Her home is in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 25, 2016
Granite Grit by Lee Cooper is a superb story, that is both fast and engaging. The plot was powerful and utterly gripping; filled with highs and lows, laughter and tears. The story of a boxer named Joe who falls into the seedie world of underground bare knuckle fighting. Not being familiar with this topic, reading this book allowed me an amazing insight to the world of boxing. Along the way we are introduced to a lot of characters but not once did I get confused whilst reading as they all connect well with one another. So thank you Lee for this fabulous book which gave me many hours of reading pleasure.
August 3, 2017
Gritty
Omg not my usual reading matter
What a gritty story.
Well worth a read full of punches it leaves you wanting.
Omg not my usual reading matter
What a gritty story.
Well worth a read full of punches it leaves you wanting.
December 9, 2015
"When your toughest opponent is you."
Your not kidding! A very true statement in more ways than one throughout the novel, for the main character Joe and the reader's themselves. What a fantastic debut novel.
The story line is brilliant, easy to follow and written in quite a unique style jumping from past to present in the space of a couple lines with ease. It is truly fascinating, coming from someone who is clueless when it comes to boxing of any kind I managed to understand everything, it all made sense. I loved the twists and turns the story itself took, unwinding the the spiral of destruction the main character created for himself, it's powerful yet sad and overall really moving creating the important hook.
The themes of the story are simple and conveyed with the utmost professionalism, the love between man and women, between parents and children, between man and the art of boxing. The relationships between the characters throughout the novel are wonderfully portrayed whether they come to a complete halt or blossom in times of tragedy. I think the theme of abuse is conveyed beautifully considering the sensitive, powerful and hard hitting nature of the theme as a whole tying in well with a further theme of family which seems to be one of Joe's fatal flaws. Which leads me on to the character Joe whom I love, hate and support, the character development of Joe is remarkably controlled and really well done. At first I really loved and sympathised with the man trying to keep his family afloat, then his downwards spiral left me hating him yet supporting him, wanting him to do well and wanting him to win the fight with not only himself but his opponents.
Personally, the fight scenes were my favourite due to the descriptive manner of which they were told, I felt like I was in the crowd onlooking the entire scene feeling the tension and fear in the atmosphere. Although it may not seem like it due to the boxing element the novel is very relatable considering family loyalty, the struggle for money and even the determination Joe has to prove himself. I even found myself laughing out loud at some of the comments Joe made.
Overall, this is truly an amazing book and I couldn't recommend it more. You should be proud of yourself Lee!
Ps. I'm a proud Squirt x
Your not kidding! A very true statement in more ways than one throughout the novel, for the main character Joe and the reader's themselves. What a fantastic debut novel.
The story line is brilliant, easy to follow and written in quite a unique style jumping from past to present in the space of a couple lines with ease. It is truly fascinating, coming from someone who is clueless when it comes to boxing of any kind I managed to understand everything, it all made sense. I loved the twists and turns the story itself took, unwinding the the spiral of destruction the main character created for himself, it's powerful yet sad and overall really moving creating the important hook.
The themes of the story are simple and conveyed with the utmost professionalism, the love between man and women, between parents and children, between man and the art of boxing. The relationships between the characters throughout the novel are wonderfully portrayed whether they come to a complete halt or blossom in times of tragedy. I think the theme of abuse is conveyed beautifully considering the sensitive, powerful and hard hitting nature of the theme as a whole tying in well with a further theme of family which seems to be one of Joe's fatal flaws. Which leads me on to the character Joe whom I love, hate and support, the character development of Joe is remarkably controlled and really well done. At first I really loved and sympathised with the man trying to keep his family afloat, then his downwards spiral left me hating him yet supporting him, wanting him to do well and wanting him to win the fight with not only himself but his opponents.
Personally, the fight scenes were my favourite due to the descriptive manner of which they were told, I felt like I was in the crowd onlooking the entire scene feeling the tension and fear in the atmosphere. Although it may not seem like it due to the boxing element the novel is very relatable considering family loyalty, the struggle for money and even the determination Joe has to prove himself. I even found myself laughing out loud at some of the comments Joe made.
Overall, this is truly an amazing book and I couldn't recommend it more. You should be proud of yourself Lee!
Ps. I'm a proud Squirt x
April 16, 2017
ory
Very good read dramatic great twists and turned good ending not expected most dern timed good good read higher recommendations
Very good read dramatic great twists and turned good ending not expected most dern timed good good read higher recommendations
August 23, 2017
It flows like a true story
4 stars because the story reads like a true account. I wonder where the writer digs so much material to feed a simple story on underground boxing world! Joe winning every time, even against strong opponent, seems unreal...
Joe and his struggling is everyone of us, whether about upbringing, jobs, benefits, loneliness, love and betrayal...
May leaves a bitter taste on tongue; many fathers would see in her the million of women whose kids have lost touch with their dad because of mums' selfishness!
The book finishes on a shocking note, we did not see this coming!
4 stars because the story reads like a true account. I wonder where the writer digs so much material to feed a simple story on underground boxing world! Joe winning every time, even against strong opponent, seems unreal...
Joe and his struggling is everyone of us, whether about upbringing, jobs, benefits, loneliness, love and betrayal...
May leaves a bitter taste on tongue; many fathers would see in her the million of women whose kids have lost touch with their dad because of mums' selfishness!
The book finishes on a shocking note, we did not see this coming!
May 24, 2019
Wonderfully gritty story about the world of boxing.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews